Lifted Up: Recent Episodes
Rick Millikin
Sometimes, I realize that I’m seeking comfort for myself and my family, more than I am trying to help bring comfort to others. Does that ever happen to you? Are you willing to admit it?
Have you ever felt that whether you are going forward or looking backward, God is nowhere to be found? Even if you believe in your heart He is working, it can be difficult when we cannot see how He is moving.
In life and in faith, there are times we need to step back and gain perspective—to take the bird’s eye view. While our immediate circumstances may be discouraging, we can be encouraged by considering the bigger picture, God’s View of Things.
Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the “honor roll of faith.” When you read the entire chapter, you see example after example of biblical heroes whose lives modeled faith in God. They were running the race.
Are you troubled about your work? Your marriage? Your kids? Your friendships? Your health? Your future?
Contrary to what many believe, it is not sinful or disobedient to experience doubts—it is a part of being human.
Have you ever had someone say to you, wow, you’re too busy, you should take a break and rest? Does your mind say, well of course but when?
I recently had coffee with a friend who wasn’t doing all that great. They hit a stage in life when some things began to burden them and their small family. Weary of life, led to being weary of pursuing God. Have you ever been there?
Have you ever wondered why King David wrote, ‘I will lift up my eyes to the mountains’? We know God does not live in the mountains, so why look up there when you’re in trouble?
If you’ve walked with Jesus for any length of time, you would know that having a relationship with God doesn’t equal a stress-free life.
It is probably more accurate to say, when we pursue Jesus and His heart, the more the attacks seem to come.
When you think of “baptism,” what comes to mind? If you said “submersing someone in water”—that’s part of it! Many churches have different approaches to baptism, but the ultimate purpose of baptism is to outwardly express an inward change.
Think back to a decision you made recently that didn’t honor God. Maybe in the moment, it seemed like fun, or maybe you couldn’t figure out how to say “no.”
Imagine God’s Spirit hovering over the face of the earth. Everything is dark and without form until God breathes out the words, “Let there be light.” In an instant, everything changes. The light pierces the darkness, and what was once invisible is now seen clearly. This is what God’s Spirit does. He is always close, always near, always bringing to light what was once covered in darkness.
We all have an idea of what being a Christian should look like. But if we’re being honest, our views are often influenced by our cultural values, our politics, our background, and what’s currently going on in the world around us. If we were to strip away all those outside influences, what would our faith actually look like?
In Paul’s letter written to the Philippians, Paul sets an example of how changing our mindset can create hope to overcome the battle before us. By the way, Paul was writing to them from prison.
Living out our purpose means living in surrender to God. When we surrender to His will, it doesn’t mean that we’re supposed to sit back and do nothing.
You may feel overwhelmed as you try to connect the dots between what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at, and the difficult things in life you’ve overcome.
Sometimes it can be hard to see how God could possibly use the pain of our past for good. Yet, over and over in the Bible, we see examples of God taking the darkest, most difficult situations in people’s lives and bring good, and using them for His glory.
Have you ever stopped to consider how all the pieces of your life fit together? Pastor Rick explores that today.
Each of us was born to fulfill a specific purpose in this world. God created you for a specific purpose and all of life's experiences contribute to that purpose.
No smoke, no singed hair. How God protected our heroes made a lasting impression on everyone watching, including the King. Who is watching you go through something difficult and what will they discover?
The King calls for our young hero's to answer for their disobedience to his command. What did they say? Let's find out today.
How do you respond when someone opens the door to test your faith? Pastor Rick explores the response of our Jewish hero's today.
How do you respond when you sense that God has spoken to you, maybe in a dream, such as our story here in Daniel? let’s talk about it today, on Lifted Up.
Do you get discouraged when it seems God isn't answering your prayer? How do our young hero's respond when they see God's answer?
We dive into the story of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, the heroes of our passage. What would it have been like to be captured and taken to a far-off place? Can you relate? Pastor Rick invites you to consider something challenging.
The king is sacked, the city overthrown and God's people are taken captive and some scatter to hide. What would lead to all this? What if it is lack of trust in God that leads you to compromise on His promises?
Four young Jewish men are about to be exiled to a foreign land. How can this inform us of our ability to trust in God?
What was Jesus trying to reveal about our purpose when he described His followers as “salt of the earth?”
When the church (and leaders) begin to recognize the time, talent, and treasure God has placed within them, communities will change. The world can change!
Light always penetrates darkness. You can turn on a very small light in a very large dark room and that light will conquer the darkness around it. No matter how many times darkness from the big room tries, it will never overtake even the smallest of lights. What does that mean then for God's people, called to be light?
Why is salt so important that Jesus would use it as an example of His disciples? What flavor are you bringing to the flavorless world today?
What does it look like to be salt and light in today's culture? Join pastor Rick for a brief moment to help you consider Jesus' powerful words.